CSA!!

I am happy to report that after many years of hemming and hawing, I joined a Community Supported Agriculture farm (CSA)(Actually 3)! The first CSA that me and my family joined is for grass-fed, organic, locally produced meat. A meat CSA. I know, it's weird. I am not a big meat eater, I seldom eat it. But I am not going to lie, I love bacon. If it wasn't for bacon, I could be completely vegan at anytime. Anywho... the meat CSA delivers once a month a package of specialty cuts beef and pork along with all beef hot dogs with no nitrates or fillers and of course the world's best bacon. This is something new for us. As a family we have bought a quarter of a cow before. Let me just say, it was totally not worth it for us. It ended up being a little lame. The CSA however, allows us plan meals and eat top quality product for a reasonable price. The CSA we joined has been worth every penny so far! It's true, you really can taste the difference.

Secondly, and more exciting for me is that we joined a vegetable CSA! I actually had the opportunity to meet the two women who own and run this farm years ago when I was a student. I would see them run though offices on campus, making these wonderful vegetable deliveries. Of course as a grad student, that was out of my budget. Years later I looked them up and lucky for me and my family they are still farming organically and making deliveries weekly in my St. Paul neighborhood! Although they have already made three deliveries, we signed up late... so yesterday was our first.

I opened up my linen package to beautiful colors or herbs, sprouts and lettuces and the most gorgeous asparagus you have ever seen. I don't even like asparagus and it was amazing! My kids ate it raw. Last night at dinner we ate our fancy meal of sirloin and t-bones with freshly grilled asparagus. Yummy. All the boys dug in, they loved it. And... we got some bonus good news from our favorite gals at the farm, the boys can come out any time and check out the farm! The all went bananas for that. (it reminded me of going to the farm in Hartford, Wisconsin when I was kid. It was the dreamiest place for a city kid like me)

The third CSA I joined because I wanted fruits. I joined one that will deliver fruits and freshly cut flowers. First delivery will be next week. My biggest hope for the summer is that receiving fresh, organic fruits, vegetables and even the meat will help encourage my family to eat better and dive into the fruit and veggies.

We are all looking forward to a summer of CSA fresh, organic goodies! I am tracking our expenses to determine how my household did and what we spent for all groceries during the summer. Quick facts: I have a family of five, three CSA memberships, and a lot of coupons and sale shopping for the rest! The race to budget is on!

If you are interested in joining a CSA for the summer, there are plenty that are still accepting members.  Follow this link to review MN and WI CSA's that deliver to your area, trust me it's a great investment!
MN CSA's

Happy Friday! Just remembered, Friday is VIP day at Unique! take your card and get a discount on all items in the store.

Freddie

Spotlight Revue at the Parkway!

Green Scene

Hello! Oh my word, it's been too long. I will admit to being the worst blogger ever. I stopped blogging for many reasons. Too many. Sometimes life gives you lemons. I really have never understood that quote. It's much easier to say, sometimes you get what you get. And to steal a line from a film; "You can't lose all the time." So I am done with my absence and getting back to the real and cyber world.

I had dinner last night (at a local restaurant) with the most woman who is a dear, dear friend. We had the chance to catch up, talk about our families, our moves, and lives. We chatted about life as a working mom and life as a working mom in the unpaid labor market... you know, a stay at home mom who is constantly working. (driving, cooking, cleaning, accounting, scheduling...) My friend said, "I am at home all the time and I am never caught up. I don't know how working moms and single moms ever have a clean house, how do they do it?" Good point, of course I said, "we don't." If I am really truly honest, the house is never clean enough, I am never caught up with the schedules and I do forget and miss appointments, practices, lunches, and rehearsals. It's almost impossible to live up to it all. Near the end of our conversation, my sweet friend mentioned she used to read my blog and was helpful and inspiring. That helped bring my spark back. To know it matters, even to one person, makes a difference to me.

Ms. W told me last night by going green and making family purchases that were reclaimed, reused, and recycled her family was able to go to one income and pay down a ton of their debt from what they weren't spending on new highchairs, clothes, furniture, and all the other trimmings and trappings we are pressured to literally buy into. None of the family members have gone without and all have a high quality of life without the high price tag or carbon footprint.

So my thoughts for the day are, I am recommitting myself to writing and providing green tips, and mostly recommitting myself to family, friends and work. Lastly, green and simple are awesome. There is no need to ever feel deprived. Best of all, when you make the decision to reuse, reduce and recycle as a lifestyle, you are being a good steward to the planet as well as being thrifty and saving for the future. It all works together!